by Roberto M. Cabardo

Cebu City (4 October) -- On its first day of registering applicants for the Employment Permit System - Korean Language Test (EPS-KLT), the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Regional Center for Visayas has reported an overwhelming response from residents.

The test is just one of the measures to enhace the employability of Filipinos who intend to work in Korea.

It is also one of the means Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s goal of making migrant workers abroad be more qualified for the jobs they are applying and be able to communicate properly to their superiors in the host country by knowing its official language.

Evelia Durato, officer in charge, said that Central Visayas has 1,500 slots for registrants starting today until October 13, 2006 which is just few days before the scheduled Korean Language Test on October 29, 2006 here in the region.

The official also warned those interested to only register at the regional offices of POEA for it is the office allowed to conduct registration of applicants throughout the country. Based on investigation, some institutions have started extorting money from the applicants by letting them pay big amount for the Korean Language training and registration for the test and even went further by letting all their applicants undergo medical examination when the truth is that test-takers are not required to submit medical certificates just so they can take the language test.

Durato also revealed that POEA officials are planning to meet the administrators of the University of San Carlos so arrangement can be made for the test to be conducted there. As of today, almost 300 individuals have filed their application at the said overseas employment office.

Passing the KLT is one of the requirements set by the government of Korea for Filipinos who would like to work in Korea.